The figures were published as Justice Secretary Chris Grayling ramped up his plan to privatise prob­ation services.

Yesterday he said: “These figures highlight the staggering effect reoffending has on our communities and the volume of victims suffering at the hands of career criminals.

“The need to reform rehabilitation is abundantly clear. For too long we have released prisoners on to the streets with £46 in their pockets, and little else, in the hope they would sort themselves out. It is little wonder things have not improved.”

His proposal would see 35 public sector probation trusts replaced by 21 privately run “community rehabilitation companies” supervising about 160,000 low to medium-risk offenders a year.

Responsibility for the most dangerous former offenders, however, would remain with a “new and refocused” national ­probation service. However, critics say Mr Grayling’s recent move to ban prisoners’ access to books could set rehabilitation back. Jo Glanville of the literacy charity English PEN said: “Through our work in prisons, we have seen at first hand the fundamental importance of access to literature. I am hopeful that ministers will be prepared to review a misguided policy.”

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Central Newcastle upon Tyne leads the way on antisocial behaviour, followed by Preston and Middlesbrough, according to police figures for the 12 months up to January this year.

Wednesday’s opening episode will look at the work of Merseyside Police’s Matrix team as they tackle Liverpool gun crime.